Struggling with Setbacks: Seeking Hope for Recovery from Tinnitus, Reactive Tinnitus, and Hyperacusis

[Yellowblue44]

I will keep this short.

In March, after attending a party with a DJ, my mild tinnitus became loud, and I experienced hyperacusis for a few days. Things improved after that. However, following a plane ride, catching COVID-19, and taking antibiotics all around the same time, I developed reactive tinnitus, musical tinnitus, and hyperacusis.

For the first three months, I could go to the supermarket without earplugs after a few weeks of adapting, and I saw some improvement. But sadly, three months ago, I was exposed to my house alarm for about 40 seconds, and since then, I have worsened. I have seen no improvement whatsoever, and I am not even back to where I was before this setback.

I am trying to do the right things. I am not wearing ear protection at home, except sometimes in the kitchen when I need to get things done quickly.

Before, I could tolerate people around the table, but now I need earplugs. I have tried to desensitize myself to sounds like the kettle and fridge, but I am not seeing any improvement, not even by one percent.

Since this setback, I now hear heavy white noise when I am outside. It is not internal noise but just the air or very distant sounds, and it has not improved. I did not have this before. As a result, I now walk with earplugs. I can only watch TV at volume 1 or 2 and occasionally listen to nature sounds. I have also been trying to desensitize myself to my car by driving daily for up to five minutes with filtered earplugs, but the sound still roars like a lion, and this desensitization is not helping.

I desperately need someone to tell me that even if there was no improvement in the first several months, things could still get better later. All the success stories I have read involve seeing some improvement in the first few months. Is there any hope of this improving for me?

I know I am not as bad as some, but I am still housebound and have a six-year-old child. I need to get better for her. My life depends on it. Please do not tell me I am doomed; that will not help me.

 

[MindOverMatter]

I know I am not as bad as some, but I am still housebound and have a six-year-old child. I need to get better for her. My life depends on it. Please do not tell me I am doomed; that will not help me.

Sorry to hear this, @Yellowblue44.

You are not doomed. This does sound like a major setback, given what you've described, and it's understandable that you're feeling like you're back to "square one."

I think it's important to take a step back and give yourself and your ears the space and time they need to rest and recover. I know this is easier said than done, especially with a small child, but it seems like you need it right now.

There is definitely hope for improvement again. Don't forget that you experienced significant progress not long ago. Setbacks like this can last for some time, even several months, but there's no reason to lose hope. Your auditory and nervous systems need time to adapt and heal, and once they do, you can gradually reintroduce things, just like you did before.

It's very hard to notice improvement during tough times like this, but give it another three months and make sure to prioritize rest. Take breaks when you need to, ask for help whenever possible, and don't hesitate to say no to things that might add stress.

I'm rooting for you and wishing you all the best on your healing journey.

If you have custom-fitted musician earplugs, use them as needed—or use whatever ear protection you have available. But try not to completely block out sound unless absolutely necessary, as gradual exposure is important.

Above all, don't push yourself too hard. It's all about finding balance.

 

[Yellowblue44]

Thanks, @MindOverMatter, for your reply. During your major setback or when this happened to you, did you notice any improvement within the first three to four months? I'm not asking about major improvement, just small changes, like some sounds dialing down a little.

I don't use ear protection at home, except during showers. I couldn't manage that before and had to take baths instead. I think that was more due to anxiety than any real change in volume for me. Sometimes I use ear protection in the kitchen, but not always.

Everything still sounds just as loud, and the reactive tinnitus probably makes it worse. I know I shouldn't compare my situation to others, but it's hard not to. The thought of living like this forever is causing me a lot of anxiety.

 

[MindOverMatter]

Thanks, @MindOverMatter, for your reply. During your major setback or when this happened to you, did you notice any improvement within the first three to four months? I'm not asking about major improvement, just small changes, like some sounds dialing down a little.

I don't use ear protection at home, except during showers. I couldn't manage that before and had to take baths instead. I think that was more due to anxiety than any real change in volume for me. Sometimes I use ear protection in the kitchen, but not always.

Everything still sounds just as loud, and the reactive tinnitus probably makes it worse. I know I shouldn't compare my situation to others, but it's hard not to. The thought of living like this forever is causing me a lot of anxiety.

No, I did not notice any particular improvement during the first six months after my acoustic trauma back in 2019.

I would say it took about a year for my tolerance to slowly return to an acceptable level. I still have reactive tinnitus to this day, which, in my opinion (and the opinion of many others), is a subset of hyperacusis. For me, it feels more like fluctuating sound sensitivity.

Some days it is almost non-bothersome, while on other days it can act up or feel heightened. This depends on factors like food, stress, sleep, weather changes, and whether I have been exposed to more sound for a period of time.

I accepted my new normal a long time ago, and it no longer causes me any more distress than any other condition might. I have experienced worse things, which I have overcome, and that has put everything into perspective. It made me realize that life is not perfect, and it never will be. Healing is a non-linear process.

That being said, I completely understand where you are coming from. I know all about the distress and the endless "what ifs." Dimmed days are unavoidable.

My best advice is to focus only on the "getting better" part. Avoid negative discussions and worst-case scenarios. There is a greater chance of you improving with time than staying the same or worsening.

If you need ear protection in the kitchen or elsewhere for a while, that is okay. Take it slow and respect your current limits. Just ensure that your auditory system gets some input to work with over time.

You can do this, @Yellowblue44.

 

[GG_Ear]

I will keep this short.

In March, after attending a party with a DJ, my mild tinnitus became loud, and I experienced hyperacusis for a few days. Things improved after that. However, following a plane ride, catching COVID-19, and taking antibiotics all around the same time, I developed reactive tinnitus, musical tinnitus, and hyperacusis.

For the first three months, I could go to the supermarket without earplugs after a few weeks of adapting, and I saw some improvement. But sadly, three months ago, I was exposed to my house alarm for about 40 seconds, and since then, I have worsened. I have seen no improvement whatsoever, and I am not even back to where I was before this setback.

I am trying to do the right things. I am not wearing ear protection at home, except sometimes in the kitchen when I need to get things done quickly.

Before, I could tolerate people around the table, but now I need earplugs. I have tried to desensitize myself to sounds like the kettle and fridge, but I am not seeing any improvement, not even by one percent.

Since this setback, I now hear heavy white noise when I am outside. It is not internal noise but just the air or very distant sounds, and it has not improved. I did not have this before. As a result, I now walk with earplugs. I can only watch TV at volume 1 or 2 and occasionally listen to nature sounds. I have also been trying to desensitize myself to my car by driving daily for up to five minutes with filtered earplugs, but the sound still roars like a lion, and this desensitization is not helping.

I desperately need someone to tell me that even if there was no improvement in the first several months, things could still get better later. All the success stories I have read involve seeing some improvement in the first few months. Is there any hope of this improving for me?

I know I am not as bad as some, but I am still housebound and have a six-year-old child. I need to get better for her. My life depends on it. Please do not tell me I am doomed; that will not help me.

You are not doomed. I have a baby, and even with that challenge, I have improved a lot over time by calming my nerves and being patient.